For my
head I made a large cap of the white cambric with ruche all around,
and fastened it on tight with wide strings that were tied in a large
stiff bow under the chin. We drew my evening dress up underneath both
skirt and apron and pinned it securely on my shoulders, and this made
me stout and shapeless. Around this immense waist and over the apron
was drawn a wide sash of bright pink, glossy cambric that was tied in
a huge bow at the back. But by far the best of all, a real crown of
glory, was a pigtail of red, red hair that hung down my back and
showed conspicuously on the white apron. This was a loan by Mrs.
Joyce, another friend in mourning, and who assisted me in dressing.
We wanted the benefit of the long mirror in the little parlor of the
hotel, so we carried everything there and locked the door. And then
the fun commenced! I am afraid that Mrs. Joyce's fingers must have
been badly bruised by the dozens of pins she used, and how she laughed
at me! But if I looked half as dreadful as my reflection in the mirror
I must have been a sight to provoke laughter. We had been requested to
give names to our characters, and Mrs. Joyce said I must be "A Country
Girl," but it still seems to me that "An Idiot" would have been more
appropriate.
I drove over with Major and Mrs. Carleton. The dressing rooms were
crowded at Mrs.
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